Lauri Khodabandehloo

Released in March of 2011 by Deep River Books, (9x6 paperback) Lonely Girl, Gracious God is a mother’s true story of the miracles, the joys, and the heart break of raising a daughter with Classic Autism. From before her birth to present time, the story of Farema depicts the trials and hardships a family endures when faced with autism—a biological brain dysfunction considered “the most devastating of the developmental disabilities” of which there is presently no known cure.

Lonely Girl, Gracious God reads like a novel, yet those who care for and love a child or adult with autism will relate to the bittersweet truths that accompany the disorder, which is presently being diagnosed at near-epidemic proportions. A true account of what parents, siblings, and extended family are faced with when one of the family members has a diagnosis of autism, this story gives the reader a vivid and clear picture of the obstacles facing families touched by autism.

Lauri’s prayer is that those who walk this difficult and sometimes tragic road of raising a child with autism will find her own source of hope through reading her story.

Why I wrote Lonely Girl, Gracious God

After many years of working and advocating for children and adults with autism, I came to realize that, like me, there were others whose lives were altered dramatically after a diagnosis of autism. By reading my story, others who love someone with autism will come to see that although each person is unique, our fears and longings are much the same—that our child or adult with autism will find a “life” of their own, and that there is hope for their future, as well as for our own.

For those who simply wish to understand the diverse dynamics of family life where autism is a factor, the reader will come to grips with how very atypical and often extraordinary the lifestyle, the daily routine—or lack thereof— while raising a child with autism. At the very least, this true story will bring to light the stark reality of an existence unlike anything others would be incapable of imagining, yet, because of a mother’s love, one that would not be traded. For this reason, I am also hopeful that those who wonder “why” or “how” these parents “deal with it” there is a clear explanation of why we simply endure, no matter what.

Endorsements for Lonely Girl, Gracious God

God’s grace often touches us in the most unexpected ways and it is those gracious blessings that powerfully impact our lives. So it was for me as God graced me through my association with Farema. From the time I began working with Farema on the ice I was encouraged by her passion for skating. Every challenge for her became a lesson for me; every triumph for Farema became mine, as well. I received far more from Farema in those instructional sessions than she ever could have learned from me. I was witnessing the grace of God in the brightness of Farema’s eyes when she focused on my instruction; the confidence in her movements as she glided across the ice; the resilience in her recovery when she fell on the ice; the joy on her face when she complete a skating program; and the sense of ease in her belonging when she skated and socialized with her fellow skaters. Every moment with Farema was a privilege and the memory of that time will forever remain among my most treasured life experiences. In Lonely Girl, Gracious God, Lauri Khodabandehloo shares the story a special young woman, her determined and devoted mother and the power of God’s grace.

Lucinda “Cindy” Jensen, PSA Master rated coach, retired manager and skating director of the Lane

County Ice Center

Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor Lauri Khodabandehloo takes us on a journey

down the broken road that leads us to the truth of God’s overwhelming faithfulness,

and His promise to never leave us as she shares the special bond between those who are

challenged with a developmental disability and the people who love them.

“Lonely Girl, Gracious God is a powerful, inspirational memoir. (It) is, above all, a

testimonial, about the power of a family’s faith...and their resilience, in facing each

difficult transition in their daughter’s journey to adulthood. It is a gift to all of us.”

Karen Simmons, Co-author, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs, The Official Autism 101 Manual and Autism Tomorrow, Founder & CEO Autism Today

“It was an honor to read the entire story Lonely Girl, Gracious God and what happens

when a parent stands against the odds, armed with love, perseverance, and faith.”

Heather McNamara, co-author, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs

and Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul

“Lonely Girl, Gracious God really touched me...”

Harold (Hal) Spencer, President of Manna Music, Inc., Song Writer/Composer, and Author

Review from Bring It On! Communications website

There were many misconceptions about autism, including that it was caused by "Refrigerator Mother: a genuine lack of maternal warmth." This thought understandably horrified her, as Lauri was the farthest thing from unloving.

This is just one of the examples in which Lauri opens up her heart and shares her story with intriguing honesty. She writes about her desire and constant efforts to keep her daughter engaged with friendships and activities. From the highs (when Farema found her perfect fit with ice skating and later her own job) to the lows ("the veins" and night terrors and hallucinations), the obvious love and devotion Lauri has for her daughter is evident on every page of this book.

This book really moved me and I found myself in tears more than once as I read it. I could sense the anguish and love as Lauri poured out her family's story, along with her own journey of self reflection and growth in her walk with the Lord. Her testimony of how the Lord is always faithful no matter how difficult things become is inspiring. This book will touch something in every mother's heart and is truly a story worth reading.

You can buy Lonely Girl, Gracious God on Amazon.com

Excerpt from the book:

“What’s that?” My teenage daughter’s question was followed by a hearty laugh.

I was standing at the kitchen sink, drying a glass I’d just washed. I set the glass on the counter and folded the towel before looking over my shoulder to see what Lisa found so amusing.

My three older daughters were giggling themselves silly over little Fee, a nickname her seven-year-old sister, Farah, had given her. Farema, my youngest, was around fourteen months old.

I walked into the dining area where the girls were seated around the kitchen table finishing their pancake breakfast, and I stared in disbelief at my baby daughter. She had smeared maple syrup into every strand of her long, curly hair, but that wasn’t what the girls were giggling about.

Little Fee was sitting rigid in her high chair, her thin little arms stretched out in front of her, her tiny hands stiff, palms parallel. She was staring straight ahead, a fixed smile on her face, her index fingers pointing inward, almost touching, and vibrating as if an invisible current of electricity was passing between them. Her eyes sparkled more than usual as her tiny body quivered, and I wondered momentarily whether she was having some kind of seizure.

“Look at that!” Lisa squealed. “She looks like an alien! Mom, she’s an alien baby!”